Drier for razors and razor blades



Nov. 3, 1936. w. M. LARSON 2,059,699

DRIER FOR RAZORS AND RAZOR BLADES Filed Feb. 17, 19 56 Tl-5 ZZVVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to electric appliances for domestic use, and the main object is to provide means of a novel, efficient, and practical nature for drying razors and razor blades, to thereby prevent rusting and corroding, and preserve the cutting edges of the blades. I have found that the mere washing and towel drying of a razor blade is not effective to remove all of the moisture,

particularly adjacent the cutting edge, and that m the moisture remaining is sufficient to have a deteriorating effect, thus shortening the useful life of the blade. I have also found that when drying a blade by application of heat, thus removing every trace of moisture, the cutting edge can be maintained sharp for a longer period of time, thus adding to the life and efiiciency of the blade element.

To the end that a heating unit may be conveniently accessible for the above noted and other 20 uses, I have designed and constructed a wall outlet device, for installation in bath and wash rooms of houses, hotels, etc., and which contains not only the heating unit but also includes one or more conventional receptacles for supplying current to-electric razors, curling irons, lamps, or other electrical equipment. The device is also designed so that it will not protrude from the wall, except when in use, and at such time also is concealed, while exposing the receptacles which may 30 then'be employed for other purposes.

More specifically the invention contemplates the use of a receptacle plate which is hinged adjacent its lower edge to an outlet box which is fixed in the wall in the usual manner and into 35 which the terminal ends of the circuit wires extend. These terminal wires are connected to the outwardly exposed receptacle units to supply current thereto and are also connected to the heating unit which is carried by the plate at its inner 40 side so as to be in horizontal supporting position when the plate is swung down on its hinge connection. I also provide a switch, operative by the outward and downward swinging action of the plate, to close the circuit to the heating element,

45 said switch including a spring element which additionally functions to releasably secure the plate 'in' open and closed positions. I Inthe accompanying drawing, which illustrates a -pre'fe'rred embodiment of my invention:

50 lis an elevation of a duplex receptacle and plate-unit in raised or closed position with respect to the outlet box which is secured in the wall.

Fig. 2 is an elevation similar to Fig. 1, but showing the plate swung down to expose and support 66 the drying unit in operative position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on line 33 in Fig. 2, and with parts of the drying unit broken away for purpose of illustration.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional elevation on line 44 in Fig. 3. 5

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view similar to Fig.

4, but showing the plate in closed position.

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of the drier unit as on line 6-6 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of the circuit 10 connections and wiring arrangement.

Referring to the drawing more particularly and by reference characters, 8 designates a frame or outlet box of the type generally employed for wall outlet connections, and to which current supply wires 9 are directed, usually through conduits (not shown). The front wall of the box has a rectangular opening Ill, adapted to be closed by a plate I I which is hinged to the box as at l2. The plate is here shown as hinged to close directly against the box, but it is to be understood that the parts may be arranged to leave space between the plate and box for a layer of plaster or other wall material should it be desired.

In the present instance the plate is provided with a pair of conventional outlet receptacle units l3 and M, the terminals of which are supplied with current directly from wires 9 as indicated in Fig. '7. These receptacle units extend inwardly from the plate and serve to support the drying unit which includes a body member 14 of refractory or heat resistant material.

The member 14 is provided in its upper face with a series of grooves IS in which is placed a circuitously arranged heating or resistance element 5, which is connected to the supply wires 9, as by wires l1, one of which includes a switch designated generally as l8. Directly over the heating element I6 I place a strip or piece I9 of mica, or the like, having perforations 20 through which the heat may be transmitted upwardly; and this member [9 is in turn secured in place by a grid member 2| having end lugs 22 secured to block I l by screws 23. The grid 2| has slots 24 exposing the perforations 20. The grid serves as a support for the blade or other object to be heated or dried, and of course prevents cutting edges from contacting with the mica or heating unit IS.

The switch [8 may be either manual or automatic; i. e.,' a separate switch may be employed to open and close circuit lG-l'l, irrespective of the plate position, or the switch may be connected With to be operated by the plate so that when the plate is opened down the switch will close, and

when the plate is closed it will automatically break the heating element circuit. Switch l8, as disclosed, is representative of the latter type. This switch includes a terminal block 24, secured in box 8, and having terminal screws 25 and 26 in one of the wires IT. A spring member 21 is anchored at one end to screw 25 with its other end free to move into and out of contact with the terminal 26 to close and open the heating element circuit. The spring 21 normally tends to break contact with terminal 21 and the same direction of tension moves it into yielding contact with an actuator block 28 secured to the receptacle plate II. The block 28 has a cam action on the spring and when the plate H is in its lower or horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 4, the cam moves the spring into circuit closing contact with terminal 26, thus energizing the heating element. When the drier is no longer to be used the plate I I is swung closed to conceal the drier unit, and this action also releases the spring. 21 to open the circuit and de-energize the heating element. At such time the spring 21 also acts against the cam member to yieldingly hold the plate in closed position, as shown in Fig. 5.

The operation and use of the device, while no doubt obvious from the foregoingspecification, may be briefly stated as follows: When it is desired to use the heating unit the cover plate II is merely pulled down to its horizontal position, and to facilitate this manipulation the plate may be provided at its upper edge with a finger lip 29. The plate opening movement closes switch Hi to supply current to heating element Hi to produce the desired heat. Meanwhile if other equipment has been connected with either or both of the receptacles l3 and I4 such connections need not be disturbed or disrupted in any manner.

The blade or other object to be dried is now merely placed upon the grid 2| for a few moments or until entirely dried out in response to the heat action. If a safety'razor has been used its head end may be placed upon the grid, thus eliminating the necessity of even taking it apart, and both blade and holder parts will be dried. The device may obviously also be used to heat cups or tins of salves, inhalants, and other ingredients, or for drying small implements or objects other than razors. When its function is completed it is only necessary to close the plate upwardly, thus breaking the heater circuit and concealing the drier unit and receptacle parts at the back of the plate.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed, provided such modifications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a receptacle plate, means for hingedly securing the plate with respect to a wall, an electric receptacle carried by the plate and exposed to the exterior thereof when the plate is in closed position against the wall, and an electric drier carried by the plate at the innerside thereof and for disposition in a horizontal position when the plate is in an outwardly swung or open position. a

2. In combination, a receptacle plate, means for hingedly securing the plate with respect to a wall, an electric receptacle carried by the plate and exposed to the exterior thereof when the plate is in closed position against the wall, and an electric drier carried by the plate at the inner side thereof and for disposition in a horizontal position when the plate is in an outwardly swung or open position, said receptacle being arranged to mount the drier with respect to the plate.

3. In combination, a receptacle plate, means for hingedly securing the plate with respect to a support, a pair of electric receptacles secured to the plate and exposed through the outer side thereof for reception of connection plugs, and an electric drier unit carried by the receptacles at the inner side of the plate, said plate being swingable on its hinge means to support the drier unit in a horizontal position.

4. A device of the character described comprising a frame for attachment to a wall and having a face opening, a plate hinged to the frame to cover said opening when in closed position, a drier unit carried by the plate at the back thereof and for concealment in the opening when the plate is closed, said drier unit being disposed in horizontal position when the plate is open, said drier unit having an electric heating element therein, a switch in circuit with the heating element, said switch having a contact member normally held in open circuit condition when the plate is closed, and for movement into circuit closing position by the plate when the latter is moved into open position, said contact member being operative to yieldably secure the plate in its open and closed positions.

5. A device of the character described comprising a frame for attachment to a wall and having a face opening, a plate member hinged to the frame to cover said opening when in closed position, a drier unit carried by the plate member at the back thereof and for concealment in the opening when the plate is closed, an electric heating element in said drier unit, a. switch in circuit with the heating element and including a circuit contact arm mounted in the frame and normally spring held in open position, said arm being engageable with the plate member to releasably secure the same in closed position, and said plate member being operative upon being moved to open position to engage the arm and press it into circuit closing position.

6. A device of the character described comprising a frame for attachment toa wall and having a face opening, a plate member hinged to the frame to cover said opening when in closed position, a drier unit carried by the plate member at the back thereof and for concealment in the opening when the plate is closed, an electric heating element in said drier unit, a switch in circuit with the heating element and including a circuit contact arm mounted in the frame and normally spring held in open position, and a cam-acting member carried by the plate member for engagement with said contact arm to open and close the switch, said contact arm being operative to engage the cam-acting member in a manner to rcleasably secure the plate member selectively in open and closed positions.

WALTER M. LARSON. 

